Chapter 27
Anabelle woke up to loud voices coming from downstairs. She gently fluttered her eyes open, covering them from the sunlight in her window so she was not blinded by them. She then gets out of bed and stretches her arms to the ceiling. She slowly made her way to the bathroom, taking a hot shower before walking back into her room. Seeing as the sun was brightly out today, she decided to dress in a short sleeve coral shirt with a pair of shorts. After putting her hair in a ponytail, she descended the stairs and entered the kitchen.
The whole pack was sitting at the kitchen table. A chorus of Good Mornings erupted making Anabelle smile. "Good morning to you guys too." She stopped in her tracks when she saw an open seat between Jacob and Paul. Having not officially told anyone that her and Jacob were a couple, there was a tense silence surrounding everyone.
Everyone's eyes then went to Jacob when he suddenly stood up and made his way towards Anabelle sweeping her in his arms and placing his lips on hers. Anabelle gasped softly, her body enveloping in Jacob's heat and warmth when their lips connected. She could hear distant cheering but everything was clouded. She smiled into the kiss and blushed deeply when Jacob parted.
She looked towards the pack who were all grinning and clapping, making her hug herself to Jacob's chest in embarrassment. "Wow! Just wow! Who would have thought? Huh." Embry sarcastically stated showing eggs in his mouth.
Jacob led a red faced Anabelle to her seat where Paul was silently seated. Everyone ceased their talking to see Paul's stoic face look intently at his sister's. "Paulie?" Anabelle whispered, hesitantly placing a hand on his arm.
"If he's who you want. Then you should be happy without my interference." The siblings shared a smile before embracing each other in a hug with Paul glaring at Jacob who was smiling at Anabelle.
"But I never want to see that shit ever again. That was nasty as hell." The pack erupted in laughter while Anabelle chuckled nervously.
"I would just like to say that I told Jacob that when he sees me, to kiss me. I just didn't think he'd take it that seriously." She looked at Jacob pointedly who just smirked and winked at his new girlfriend.
Everyone finished their breakfast in the next 30 minutes, light conversation and banter weaved all throughout eating. When it was time for Anabelle and Jacob to leave for her high school meeting, there was a sudden knock at the door. Everyone conveyed a confused expression as Emily walked over to the front door.
"Hello. May I help you?"
"Hello ma'am. My name is Mason and I was told Anabelle Lahote was staying here. I'm one of her friends from school." Anabelle stopped mid bite to look back at the front door, and sure enough Mason was standing on the front porch with a folder in hand.
She quickly stood up from the table and made her way to the door. "Hey Mason. What are you doing here?"
"I found out you got accepted into Early Grad and was wondering if you'd like to go to the meeting with me?" Anabelle glanced behind him and smiled at his mother in the front seat of the car. She then looked back at Jacob who was watching from the table like everyone else.
"I'm sorry Mason, I already have a ride. Plus I have plans after the meeting. But we could meet there and go in together, if you'd like." She said, hoping she didn't hurt his feelings.
"Yeah, that's no problem. I'll see you in a little bit ok?"
"Ok. Yeah, I'll see you later." After watching Mason and his mother leave, Emily and Anabelle walked back to the table where the pack was seated.
"Wow Belle. You passed the test." Embry said, "Congratulations."
"What test?" She asked sitting back down on her chair.
"You just blew off one of your friends, who's a guy, to spend more time with Jake. Most girls won't do that." Everyone nodded in agreement.
"It's not really that difficult to choose between. I had plans with J and I don't want to seem bitchy if I blew him off. What girls do that?"
"High School girls." Quil said, showing a muffin in his mouth.
"Anyway, we should really be going. We'll see you guys later." Jacob said, ending the conversation. He led Anabelle towards the door, grabbing her hand and interlocking their fingers.
"Where's the rabbit?" She asked him.
"We're taking the bike today Missy. And I won't hear no complaining capiche?" Anabelle rolled her eyes before clipping the helmet to her head and getting on the bike behind Jacob.
The two then rode up the road and made the journey to Forks High.
"Wow." Anabelle gasped, looking at the building in front of her. It was rather big in size, being two stories. It spread out along the road and the parking lot was double the size than La Push Middle. "This place is huge." She noticed how people were staring and glancing at her. It was understandable, she was new and it was very evident that she was from the reservation.
She caught sight of Mason next to the front door. He waved her over making her turn towards Jacob. "You go ahead, I need to talk with the bloodsucker about something." He said motioning towards the other end of the parking lot. She saw Edward and Bella making their way towards Jacob. Anabelle nodded before allowing Jacob to give her a kiss. They separated, both smiling before Anabelle walked towards Mason who had a shocked expression on his face.
"What the hell was that? Are y'all dating now?" Anabelle blushed a deep crimson, forgetting Mason was even there.
"Well we both admitted we had feelings for each other when I was in the hospital and had our first date last night. He asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes." She explained walking into the high school. They found the office quite quickly, smiling at each other before pushing the door open.
Jacob scowled at the smell of vampire, but refrained from growling. "Hey." Bella said, making no move to hug Jacob.
"Charlie said you left town." Jacob stated, not in the mood for pleasantries.
"To visit my mom. I came back in yesterday, went to the store and ran into your girlfriend actually. When did that happen?" There was an edge to Bella's voice that did not go unnoticed by Jacob.
"Frankly I don't understand how that is any of your business, Bells. And I am not here to be questioned about it. What I am here to do is make sure your bloodsucker knows that no one is supposed to cross into our land ever. And that is what happened two nights ago."
"Wait what?" Bella asked, looking between Jacob and Edward. Edward sighed softly making Jacob realize.
"You didn't tell her?"
"Just leave it alone Jacob." Edward said with an edge.
"Leave what alone? What happened?" Bella questioned further.
" Emmett and Paul had a misunderstanding. It's nothing to worry about."
Jacob scoffed and asked, "Listen to yourself. Did you lie to get her out of town too? I mean, she is the one the red head wants."
"Wait, Victoria?" Bella asked. "Alice's vision."
"I was only doing it to protect you." Edward tried telling her.
"By lying to me." She concluded. "Ok we're going to talk about this later," she aimed at Edward and then looked at Jacob. "But you. Why haven't you called me back?"
"I had nothing to say." He shook his head.
"Well I have tons. Hold on." She was stopped by Edward when she tried to walk up to Jacob. "Edward you have to trust me."
"I do trust you. It's just I know the other wolves aren't very fond of you." Edward tried telling her. She ignored him and advanced towards Jacob.
"Look Bella, I know you want to talk but I'm busy. Belle is in her meeting right now. And after, I have to take her back to the Res. I have homework to do and pack duties." He tried telling, getting annoyed.
" Look Jake, I know you're busy but I would really like to spend some time with you. You're my best friend. Look I'm sorry about running off to Italy but you have to understand I needed to. So please, just let me explain." She was rather desperate, that was evident.
Jacob knew that if he said yes, Bella wouldn't bother him as much as she has been. But he couldn't leave Anabelle stranded alone. He was her ride. "If I may Jacob, I can drop off Anabelle at the border to be picked up by whoever is patrolling. If that suits you." Edward intervened, knowing Jacob's protectiveness for his imprint.
Jacob scowled at the vampire and thought of all the possible dangers that could happen if he said yes. "I promise I won't let anything hurt her. You have my word." Edwards said, picking up on Jacob's thoughts. He sighed, "Fine. Just make sure she's safe or I'll rip your head off before you can even blink."
After handing Bella the helmet, the two climbed on the bike and made their way out of the parking lot and onto the highway.
Edward watched them leave before walking inside to search for Anabelle. He picked up on her thoughts in the library and followed her scent there. She had a rather interesting scent. Roses were dominant but there was some of the wolf's aroma as well. He concluded that it was probably because the wolves were always in her company.
He found her in the library with a boy her age he read was Mason. "Anabelle." He said, causing the young girl to jump and turn towards the vampire's voice.
"Oh Edward. Hi, I didn't see you there." She said grabbing one of the biology textbooks. "Do you need one of these books?"
Edward chuckled, "No I am rather educated in biology. I did want to tell you that I will be the one taking you home after your meeting is done." Anabelle glanced at Mason who was looking at the algebra books. Edward allowed her to pull his shirt and lead him to the end of the aisle.
"What do you mean you're taking me home? Where's J?" She questioned.
"Bella wanted to talk with Jacob and explain things. So they left and went to the reservation. Jacob was hesitant about leaving you so I stepped in and said that I would take you to the border and make sure you got home safely." Edward explained. " Unless you wouldn't like me to."
Anbelle shook her head, "No that's fine." Edward noticed that there wasn't any part of the young girl's mind that was frightened by him. He assumed if she knew he was a vampire, she would at least be a little shy and silent. Her thoughts were very different from others he had read. There were many pictures or vivid images instead of strings of thoughts. It was different.
"Are you liking what you see in my head? I imagine it's very boring." Edward looked up to see Anabelle looking right at him with a smirk.
"I'm sorry. That was very rude of me." Anabelle waved him off and tried to carry her books. Edward quickly grabbed her books, seeing as they didn't weigh very much to him.
"It's no worry. I imagine you can't help it. Rosalie has told me about your family when I was in the hospital." She told him, handing him her geography book. "I know that Alice, I think was her name. She can see the future but she can't see the wolves. And Jasper, her mate, can sense emotions. They are rather interesting talents."
" Yes, I suppose they are rather interesting. They help when they are needed." They shared a smile before leaving the library and walking towards the office.
"I see you have your books ready dear. Hello Mr.Cullen." The front desk lady said when the two walked in. "Are you helping Miss Lahote with her books?"
"Yes ma'am. I am to take her home if that is alright? Her ride left suddenly when important matters arose." The older women nodded and handed Anabelle a blue folder with papers in it.
"This folder has all your codes to enter the online classes on your computer at home. If you have all your books then you are done. There is also a calendar included for the summer months so you can know when the school is open for turning in your works. You can go every week or every other week if you like." Anabelle thanked the older lady before following Edward to the parking lot.
"Wow! This is your car?" Anabelle gawked at the car Edward unlocked with his keys.
"Yes. Do you know it?"
"Do I know it?" Anabelle repeated. "I know that it's a Volvo S60R. It looks so expensive." Edward chuckled at the young girl and watched as she slowly sat in the passenger seat, rubbing the leather interior in awe. "Wow."
This is the most expensive thing I've ever seen.
"Really?" Edward asked.
"I didn't say anything." Anabelle said looking at Edward. " Did you read my mind?"
"Yes, I'm sorry. It's a force of habit with me and my family." He apologized, revving the engine.
" No, it's not a problem. And it's true. The most expensive car I've been in is my dad's Toyota truck. We can't really afford something like this." Edward couldn't help but peek in Anabelle's mind to see what she was playing in her head.
She received her first phone at 13. Her and her brother had to share a computer and there was one TV in their house. It was in the living room. It wasn't that they were poor so to say. But it was harder to afford extra things when there was only one person earning money for the whole household. That was part of the reason the Lahotes' moved from Seattle to La Push. Their father moved where Anabelle's mother was living at the time and moved back after he lost their house.
"So, tell me about yourself Edward. The only thing I know about you is you're Bella's boyfriend."
" I don't really know what to say or what to start with." He answered.
" Ok. How about we play 20 questions?" She asked. Edward looked at her with a confused expression on his face. "You know, you ask someone 20 simple questions to get to know them better. That's what me and J did when we were first starting to get to know each other. Like this, what is your favorite color?"
"I like all colors really, but if I had to choose one, it would be either a forest green or royal blue."
" Those are nice ones. Ok, what is your favorite movie?" Anabelle asked.
" I don't really watch movies or TV. We only have cable for Emmett and Jasper's benefit."
" Ok?" Anabelle said, thinking this was not going very well. " You have to have a favorite book right?"
Edwards' mouth turned up into a smile. " I've read many books and I rather like The Great Gatsby. "
" I like that one as well, although my heart is forever with Harry Potter."
" I've read the first two. I have to say, they are rather interesting. Rowling seems like an imaginative woman." Anabelle chuckled before asking more questions while Edward drove.
When Edward arrived at the border, there was already a wolf present at the border. Anabelle recognized the wolf as Leah. "Thank you for the ride Edward. Please tell Rosalie that I am looking forward to seeing her later this summer." Edward nodded before Anabelle stepped out of the car and onto Leah's back. They quickly made their way to Emily's house, Anabelle anxiously wanting to see Jacob again.